~~~~Jesse's P.O.V.~~~~

Golden pleasure hums throughout my body.

A blessed heat that cocoons my resting limbs, and sooths my restless heart.

Yet there is boundless energy patiently waiting inside of me. Ready to spring up and burst into action if need be. To give me a full day that can accomplish anything if I release it. Primed to rejuvenate my soul and give it the strength of an angel.

I guess I forgot how great a good night's sleep is.

A smile spreads across my face, it spreads so far and wide my face beings to hurt. I can't help it though, I feel as if I have defeated a foe or something. This feeling is almost the same to when I got out of the terminal and saw the sky peeking out from the bedrock and only growing bigger and bigger. Looking over Beacontown and seeing light shine down on my town again, and knowing, that once again, everything is exactly as it should be.

Ahhh, I need to make sure I get this more often. I snuggle in further to the warmth enveloping my body, wishing I could bury myself in it and never come out. I'm glad I got power over fire than power over ice. The cold just can't do the same.

The only difference with this feeling is that I'M the one being protected. I'M not worrying about others, or if THEY'RE doing ok. But I'M the one being taken of, I am NOT the one constantly meeting people's needs and exhausting myself. I'M not taking care of things, but instead being cared for.

And who knew if felt so great to NOT be in control of things?

Although there is this nagging feeling in the back of my mind trying to pull my happiness away. A stupid pesky feeling trying to drag me out of this beautiful place of warmth and comfort. Is this what Axel feels like whenever I used to wake him up? A demon ripping-

Something twitches, rubbing my back.

It moves again, tightening its hold. The small movement awakening a bit of energy, reopening my senses to where I am.

Or more accurately, who I'm with.

Since I am positive that pillows don't radiate such a blissful warmth. Blankets cannot wrap around a body tightly and create such a secure and calming hold. Nor do beds breathe on the top of your head, gently ruffling your hair that sends waves of pleasure to drown out worries.

Before I stop and think what is actually happening, I prefer to indulge in this leisure for a bit longer. It's been ages since I felt so relaxed and peaceful. Well, except for yesterday with Lukas...

Lukas... ... ... ... ...

If there's someone right next to me...

And no one else is here, then it has to be...

Lukas.

...

My eyes try to shoot out of their sockets, and my heart wants to fly away from my body.

HOLY ADMIN! I-I just slept with my best friend!

I cough and sputter, feeling my whole face firing up 20 degrees. But it wasn't because that fact...

It was because right after that thought, I realized that I really, really, don't want him to leave.

And I have no idea why.

Before I have a chance to think about this, before I can regain my composure and snuffle out the TNT about to explode a whole mess of emotions. I hear a groan, and the arms on my back shift slightly as once relaxed hands now loosely grip the sides of my body. Making the areas tingle slightly, buzzing with happiness.

What in the fiery squid eggs is wrong with me?

But more importantly, how is Lukas going to react about our... position?

Right...

about...

now...

"Jesse?" All worries vanish into thin air once I hear Lukas's deep morning voice. He's basically purring with his words, as his speech slurs to nearly beyond recognition.

Lukas chuckles, the small act making me vibrate and my heart shiver. I can't believe this is happening! I'm frozen in place, barely able to think, let alone have the judgment to speak. All because a certain blond haired individual is hugging me as he's waking up.

"You do realize I know what you're feeling... right?" If I could move my arms and hands, I'd be covering my face. Since I can't, my instincts do the next best thing: push my head forward and try to bury myself in Lukas's shirt.

"You probably forgot," I can just sense that Lukas has a smirk on his face, toying with the emotions wildly running in me. But when his fingers to tangle themselves in my bed hair, I melt into it almost instantly as any irritation vanishes. "But even without that ability, I would've figured it out."

With most of my cognitive functions shut down, I just sputter something out without a second thought. Well, there's no first thought either.

"Then please, oh wise one, explain my emotions to me. 'Cause if I'm not understanding them, perhaps you'll have better luck."

A small giggle escapes Lukas's mouth, blessing my ears with such heavenly music.

"I won't embarrass you, although it IS tempting..." Ok, that got my attention. I pull back to glare at him. My eyes immediately halt once I meet his gaze and start drinking in the sight of his crystal blue eyes, shimmering like water... I think I was planning on doing something rather than gaze into his beautiful eyes. But I can't remember now...

"It's pretty simple really, when you wake up, you don't have any mental walls up. Which means you are completely vulnerable to any sensation, allowing all your emotions run rampage until you gain enough logic to corral them. But apparently, my presence is denying that process."

I blinked. Then again, as the information just clicked and united itself. That patient energy sparks up, awakening my will for today. It all makes sense, these are just emotions without a logical base since I'm not awake yet. They'll go away and I won't have to deal with them as I work. Simple.

Right? A worm of doubt wiggles its way inside the conclusion. What if this won't go away? What would it mean then?

Then, I'll deal with it. The energy flows into my resting body, filling it now with the crave to move, to do something, literally anything.

I push against Lukas and roll out of bed. My entire being full of exuberance and a newfound strength pumping through my body. I stretch my arms out, preparing the limbs for the day. I roll my shoulders back, relishing in the vigor animating the once stress-ridden muscles. It's been ages since I've felt so alive in the morning.

The pies on the nightstand catch my attention, and I quickly gobble one up. Then another, as the first created a rush to eat more. The last one though, I savored. My tongue basking in the sweet pumpkin. The gooey filling expanding to every nook and cranny in my mouth with each bite.

Eventually though, the empty space in me as been satisfied. Already restoring power to starved cells. I lick my fingers, content with the swell of food inside me.

"Pies for breakfast? That seems like something Axel would do." Lukas, who still looks asleep, is slouched on the bed, yawning and running his fingers through his hair.

I smirk at him and lick the last of my fingers with slurpy pop. My smirk transforms into a grin, as I roll my eyes extravagantly.

"And do you disprove? I thought you were the trying to get me to eat and take care of myself."

"I don't." He looks up at me and grins. "As long as I get one too."

For a moment, we both just stare at each other. As it dawns on Lukas that he won't be getting a pie peacefully. I lunge for the remaining pies, keeping them out of his grasp. I quickly backpedal to avoid Lukas's sweeping arms.

He on his feet now too, any grogginess gone, both of us facing each other. Neither of us making any move as time stalls.

"Jesse," Lukas narrows his eyes, his voice back to the rumbling like earlier. "This is when you hand me a pie."

If this were Petra or Axel I was facing off against, then I would have taunted them a bit. But this is Lukas, who will calculate the best plan of action with the available information. And since he knows what I'm feeling at any given time...

"CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!"

I burst into the hallway, curious to why the door is gone, but get a strong grip on the pies. Racing down the hallway, I can hear the echo of Lukas's feet behind me. He's faster than I remember, though I guess he was never one to run out of stamina. I just didn't expect him to be so fast when I used to always be able to outpace him.

I barge into the Order Hall, my sight focused on the door to the workshops. If I can get there then...

"What are you doing Jesse?"

I plunge my heels straight into the ground and skid to a stop. I go to whip around to the newcomer. However Lukas, unable to stop himself, slams into me.

We tumble to the ground, our momentum unfortunately carrying us down the stairs. We roll and fail down the stairs on top of each other. Lukas ends up on top, and he nearly instantly moves off to go in front of me. Pushing into my body heavily and blocking my view.

I sigh and try to look up at the guest, who just got to see two members of the Order of the Stone being klutzes and ungracefully fall on top of each other.

"YES! I got the pies!" I turn my head to Lukas, who is grinning broadly and treasuring the pies like diamonds.

"Lukas," I scold as I finally stand back up, "We have guests."

"Oh no, please continue. I just love seeing my rival make a fool out of himself."

I chuckle at the teasing, and now do I see Stella standing there beaming at us. To her side is Lluna, looking even bigger since the last time I saw her. Although she has become a nicer llama alongside her owner, it appears Stella's pampering hasn't stopped.

Next to her is a slightly cowering man with big glass shaking on his nose and wearing formal attire. He vaguely looks familiar, as if I saw him from a passing glance the other day.

I turn my attention to the purple dressed mayor, smiling widely.

"Stella, am I glad your here."

******

Did you know that "irritance" is not word in the current dictionary?

Is that weird? I found that weird...

Yes, this is a much shorter chapter than the past few, but the next one is coming out real soon. I just felt that it was much better to end the chapter here and keep the same theme/tone for the entire chapter.

So expect the next chapter in a few days! Buh-bye!